British PM fighting to fix European Union frustration in 2016

London: Prime Minister David Cameron pledged to fight hard in 2016 to resolve troublesome features of Britain's relationship with the EU ahead of a planned referendum that could come this year.

Cameron said aspects of being in the European Union were the cause of "so much frustration" in Britain but ultimately voters would decide whether the country remains in the bloc.

He is attempting to renegotiate the terms of Britain's membership, ahead of an in-or-out referendum due by the end of 2017.

No date has been set for the vote, though newspapers and political commentators have speculated that it could well come in 2016.

"It's a New Year, and Britain begins it with renewed strength. With a lower deficit and enterprise flourishing, our economy is becoming more secure by the day," Cameron said in his New Year message.

"For me, there are no New Year's resolutions, just the resolve to continue delivering what we promised in our manifesto."

His Conservative Party was returned to power with a majority in May.

"We're fighting hard to fix the aspects of our EU membership that cause so much frustration in Britain so we get a better deal for our country," he said.

"It is a difficult negotiation with 27 other countries. But throughout we are driven by one consideration: what is best for Britain's economic and national security.

"In the end, you will decide whether we are stronger and better off with our European neighbours as part of the European Union, or on our own."

Cameron said he thought Britain was in the middle of a "great reforming decade", a "turnaround" period where a revived economy could spur "real social renewal".

Cameron listed four things he wanted to "get done" in 2016.

He said he wanted to tackle extremism by combating "hate preachers" but also segregated parallel communities and a "failure to integrate".

Cameron pledged to build 200,000 starter homes to tackle the moral "outrage" of young people priced out of the property market.

He said he wanted to combat "stubborn and persistent poverty", and lift the barriers of social mobility, calling it a "scandal" that there were more young black men in prison than studying at top universities.

"If we really get to grips with these problems this year, we won't just be a richer nation, but a stronger, more unified, more secure one," Cameron said.

"We remain on the long walk to a Greater Britain. We won't get there overnight. But during 2016, we will make some of our most significant strides yet."